Q.1 How do you feel about current used oil analysis techniques? Which functions/options of used oil analysis do we not have yet that you think would be good to have?

Statistical analysis/artificial intelligence tools to assist in interpreting bulk data for determining recommendations.

Impact of varnish potential.

I feel the data is underutilized and misunderstood. Many people seem to believe oil analysis has thresholds like vibration, rather than trending being far more indicative, and, consequently, do little until results are alarmed. Properly used, trending can identify issues before alarms go off.

Currently in South Africa, the analysis techniques are sufficient.

Current techniques require much understanding and care related to scheduling, drawing and handling samples.

I feel good but not enough.

Good options available.

(a.) A critical tool in a good maintenance program. (b.) Unless you pay up well, we get no data on the types of particulates, just size distribution.

Although most labs may follow ASTM or other standards while testing, interpretation and comments by individual labs quite often differ, as there, perhaps, is no governing body to supervise. However, this is my personal opinion, and I may well be wrong!

Their potential is not fully realized. All possible chemical traces must be fully utilized in order to be able to determine where all current contaminants in the oil are coming from. This will likely require advanced microscopy, gravity and ultrasonic methods combined with the use of identification models based on, for example, neural networks.

Current techniques seem to be adequate and provide valuable information.

It is such a valuable tool—we need to be doing more of it. More samples and also more machines enrolled.

Adequate but can be improved.

Current used oil analysis techniques are acceptable to identify issues and prevent equipment stoppages. The big thing is turnaround time, either from the time taking the sample and shipping it into the lab, or the time it takes the lab to analyze the sample. These time periods can add up to two-plus weeks before a report is issued.

The current oil analysis techniques are fine. New techniques are always good to improve upon existing ones.

Current used oil analysis techniques have served very well and, in some instances, surpassed industry expectations. Clear and specific test procedures from leading institutions such as ASTM in no small way added significant values. Unfortunately, the costs of acquiring oil analysis instruments and the dearth of well-trained and certified lab analysts are downsides that limited what could have been rapid growth of the oil analysis technology offer. In a world of reactive maintenance, it seems to me that oil analysis was being offered as a “high-end solution,” which several operators could not readily afford—although business case studies may state otherwise, but most people will rather dwell on initial investment outlay.

Current techniques are adequate, but there needs to be a better system for facilitating seamless follow up. 

They are good, but there is always room for improvement, especially in determining oxidation levels and oxidation tendencies. This would provide an opportunity to better predict how much longer the oil will be acceptable for use. Current methods provide a glimpse, but other than running a full oxidation test, it is difficult to predict hours of service expected.

Adequate for useful information, advanced technologies provide failure analysis clues.

There needs to be more training on oil analysis in general.

I think we have plenty of great techniques to provide great information.

Engine oil cleanliness, particularly used diesel engine oils.

It is unsatisfactory. Real-time results.

I rely on our partners here. I think all had been considered.

Do you think current oil analysis techniques are adequate support on maintenance?
Yes 57%
Sometimes/maybe 38%
No 5%
Based on an informal poll sent to 15,000 TLT readers.

Should be more convenient and integrated (with data analysis, etc.).

Most things that are needed in an oil analysis are covered.

The current oil analysis techniques are adequate for the existing technologies that we have. I think it would be good to have used oil analysis for electric vehicles.

Should be increased since it contributes to sustainability.

Some way to describe the oil formulation and how the base oil differs from the fully formulated oil. Also, the link from chemistry to tribological behavior in field applications.

There should be more onsite DIY oil test sets enabling oil users to carry out their own testing of basic parameters like acid values, base number or viscosity increase.

Oil should be used one or two times, once open.

Good techniques followed for used oil analysis.

I understand the results of the analysis techniques, but some parameters are interrelated with others and make difficult diagnostic.

The important work of the analytical laboratory, the experience and the databases are what bring real value to the end-user.

Very useful tool for predictive and preventive maintenance for physical assets (production equipment), optimization and reliability. Onsite oil analysis facility options I think would further enhance the sector/service. It is a value-added option, in my opinion, to take off the bottlenecks, such as infrequent analysis intervals due to inconveniences of proximity, poor analysis strategies (due to lack of integration of the oil analysis program into site maintenance strategy and plans) and ineffective communication between maintenance crews and their laboratory service providers when issues such as of clarity on asset sample information is needed. Challenges such as delays in getting the samples to the laboratory, delays in getting results back, etc., could be reduced if not eliminated.

Looks good.

Particle count and improved inline or offline filtration or protection (desiccant breathers) against external contamination is underutilized to extend service life in industrial equipment with large oil volumes. For the second part of the question, I have no suggestions. 

I feel the technique that we do not have is to get the immediate results for critical parameters—the options to get fast result for oxidation, fuel dilution, water content and xerography.

The current used oil tests are quite comprehensive and can give a reasonable indication of the machinery based on the oil conditions, provided the relevant tests are conducted.

Q.2 What are your thoughts on this statement: Online/real-time oil analysis sensors will be useful and more widely used in the future?

True. But the technology is still in development. There is still a need for data that will help interpretation of readings from sensors.

Absolutely, but not always understood.

I don’t think current data from periodic sampling has been maximized enough to see a benefit using real-time oil analysis data. Much of oil analysis is reactive rather than truly predictive.

Agree, as time management becomes more critical.

They are good tools in the right application. The sensors should be calibrated periodically to ensure accuracy. Proper placement and installation also is very important.

I think that is inevitable as the advancement of technology makes miniaturization of current lab tech feasible for portable use.

I agree they would be very useful, and I would look forward to their implementation. Minimizing maintenance technicians’ dependence for timely and accurate oil sampling would be beneficial and cost effective.

I think they provide great info in real time.

It’s an accurate statement. There will continue to be advances with sensors and their usage in a drive for improved reliability.

True.

Yes, we are beginning to see them on new equipment and from some aftermarket vendors.

This statement surely holds good for field tests and especially in remote locations like offshore rigs. However, I personally feel for a more in-depth and comprehensive analysis, lab testing with more sophisticated and sensitive equipment will continue for some time to come.

I don’t think so. I think it could be on huge systems only.

I agree with this statement, but now it is necessary to prepare a training program for future staff, also with the use of cobots used in difficult environments.

This is definitely true, but online oil analysis sensors also need (sometimes quite a lot) maintenance and skilled personnel.

In some cases it can be helpful as a basic screening tool, especially on remote and inaccessible equipment, but I will always want full-calibrated laboratory tests to be run when indicated by time (or triggered by sensor data), as well as get a fuller picture/scope of current and/or developing problems with the oil and, more importantly, the equipment.

Analysis sensors that can cover even the basic analysis that is currently offered by a service laboratory for in-service oil sounds amazing, and making it available in real-time is definitely a thing of the future.

Once reliability and costs on oil analysis sensors are more reasonable, I agree they will be widely used for real-time monitoring of oil and equipment conditions supplemented with used oil samples sent into a lab for verification.

Agree with this statement.

Online/real-time oil analysis sensors offer unique benefits, which make them appealing and, thus, generate growing interest among end-users/operators. Depending on the pace of technological innovations, it may still take years before that new emerging technology can significantly replace traditional oil analysis. Even among current users of online/real-time oil analysis sensors, there are moments of compelling need to benchmark sensor readings against traditional measurements derived from comprehensive laboratory oil analysis. Most significantly, irrespective of techniques, maintenance professionals require a reliable and conclusive oil analysis position to guide them in repair jobs, and traditional laboratory oil analysis has always fulfilled that expectation.

That would be great. Knowing when exactly my oil needs changed in my car would be helpful instead of a blanket 5,000 miles.

Online sensors would be great, but they are expensive and don’t provide all of the information needed to make a proper determination of lubricant health.

Correct and accurate.

That is definitely true.

Online real-time oil analysis sensors are in use today in many applications. The technology is in its infancy, but as detection technology improves, so will effectiveness of the online sensors. The limitation of the sensors is still an issue in the process used to determine contaminants and wear. One major issue is the interpretation of the data produced from the sensors and condition. Someone at the site must make a discussion on corrective action. In many cases, the current technology detects an anomaly, and samples are sent to a lubricant testing facility to do an analytical assignment. The severity of contaminants and wear can be better understood and evaluated for the maintenance manager.

Agree entirely.

I believe it is true.

Absolutely. Once these sensors are capable of measuring minute changes in oil’s physical and chemical conditions, they could be a powerful tool. Algorithms can help correlate the different sensors’ inputs. 

It is true that real-time oil analysis sensors will be great if they are dependable. At this time I would not trust them and would leave a proven method of oil analysis.

Truly agree with this statement; the pandemic changes our way of doing things, so we might as well adapt to a new normal. 

Definitely useful—increase of use depends on costs and performance.

Yes, absolutely, and especially if the sensors become more rugged for harsh environments.

Latest and updated techniques should be taken into practice.

For me both are very important. However, online is of more detail, and room for error is negligible. Online oil analysis will be widely used.

Yes. This is more convenient for the maintenance team for monitoring condition of the machineries.

Sure. Online analysis sensors will be the future. Big Data will increase and improve the diagnostic.

Online sensors will become cheaper. Are online analyses going to become better or more useful? Well, they can never be any better than their programming. What kind of statistics and precision will be needed to be able to give reliable, useful and correct inline online decisions, apart from overheating or total loss of oil pressure—we have had this in automobiles for more than 50 years, right?

Online and real-time oil analysis sensors are expected to be useful and more widely used in the future.

Yes, online/real-time oil analysis sensors will be useful and widely used in the future. A lot of analysis does not have decent sensors available.

Q.3 What do you think will happen for used oil analysis techniques in the future?

Artificial intelligence functions combined with sensor technology and specified lubricants will enable greater accuracy and speedier response in assessing changes in oil condition.

Will change hugely, with the impact of fluid changes.

I think we will see more automation to turn around laboratory samples faster.

As the cost of lubricants continues to rise, I believe oil analysis will become more prominent. That will require more training or customers utilizing oil analysis as a cost savings tool. Currently, many end-use customers do not make good use of oil analysis data due to a lack of knowledge on the subject in upper management.

More automation and onsite analysis.

Hopefully automation via online live oil sensors will become the norm.

More inline options will reduce the number of samples to be taken and sent to labs.

Instant online data analysis to your PC or phone app.

They will be automated, but I take into account a long transition period. I will prepare appropriate staff and secure (make it scalable, repeatable and reliable) security procedures related to future technologies.

The degree of sophistication of used oil analysis techniques is already quite high and nearly sufficient. In my opinion, the challenge for the future will be to have sufficient, well-educated and trained staff.

They will fade as real-time sensors are utilized. But they will have a place as there are certain tests that a sensor can’t perform or are too important to rely on an algorithm to infer an answer.

Automation and computer intelligence will play a greater role and be able to process higher volumes of samples at potentially lower cost.

Applications will see a decline with the advent of electric vehicles, but it will still be fully required for heavy-duty machineries.

Sensor technology will expand with more in-depth analysis done on site with oil analyzers and lab analysis.

They will continue to be used, but newer techniques will be more prevalent.

Used oil analysis will remain strategic and relevant in predictive maintenance for years to come. However, with the drift toward electric-powered cars and trucks, it is logical to assume there will be diminishing demand for used engine oil analysis. Having said that, used oil analysis technology will remain as long as there are rotating components still being lubricated by oil and grease. Eventually, the new sensors technology will end up as another complimentary option, just as we currently have for vibration, thermal analysis, etc., in the PdM toolbox.

It will become more and more sophisticated. Labs also will do a better job in facilitating follow up.

Faster and more reliable.

The test themselves will become more automated, less expensive and less labor intensive.

It will become more useful as we move to real-time data.

When the price comes down, I think more online analysis will be used. I think just about every industry is being forced to get more results with less people. 

Online analyses will be limited to condition monitoring, and more sophisticated analysis will be limited to failure investigation.

Which one of these oil analysis techniques is the most practical and useful?
Onsite sample test kit 26%
Laboratory 49%
Online oil analysis sensor 25%
Based on an informal poll sent to 15,000 TLT readers.

Very promising and could be of great help to maintenance people.

Oil labs need to raise the bar on automated results interpretation, otherwise sensors will do more for users and labs business could suffer.

There will be improvements in data collection and better analysis techniques.

Emphasis on online oil analysis platforms or oil analysis kits.

I hope the oil industry will increase its efforts.

More DIY approaches and more online sensoring.

More updated and advanced results will be coming.

We know right now that it is expensive, including the equipment, so in the future, I am expecting more technology to bring down the cost.

More focus on automated used oil analysis, advanced debris monitoring tests and advanced compatibility tests of lubricants. Controlling emission and wear in the machineries.

The analysis techniques will be in situ, and Big Data will be all.

Mechanical systems require lubrication to perform their intended functions, and that medium, as far as is known, is greases and lubricating oils. With this, I think used oil analysis techniques will still be useful for a long time even in the era of electric engines.

Still nothing replaces experience of viewing and comparing each analysis result to real-life situations and other results.

Will be more useful to take proactive action.

Will continue to be refined and improved and tailored to address various use requirements.

Editor’s Note: Sounding Board is based on an informal poll sent to 15,000 TLT readers. Views expressed are those of the respondents and do not reflect the opinions of the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers. STLE does not vouch for the technical accuracy of opinions expressed in Sounding Board, nor does inclusion of a comment represent an endorsement of the technology by STLE.